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April 24, 2012 More AWARxE News »Counterfeit Medications
Get Informed on How to Protect Yourself from Counterfeit Medications
Counterfeit medications are fake drugs. They may be contaminated or contain the wrong ingredients. Some contain no active ingredient. Counterfeit drugs can cause serious health issues and even lead to death.
It is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between real medications and fake ones made to look like the real medications. However, it is important to know that what you are taking is the real thing. It is always best to get your medications from a reputable pharmacy. If you are ever unsure about the medication you are taking, call your doctor or pharmacist.
Dangers of Counterfeit Drugs
There are several risks involved with taking counterfeit medications. There is the possibility of side effects or allergic reactions to the ingredients not normally found in the legitimate medications. With the counterfeits that do not contain any active ingredients, you do not receive any benefit and your condition could worsen. Some of the counterfeits found have also contained dangerous ingredients such as lead.
Many different kinds of drug products are counterfeited. They range from lifestyle drugs to expensive anti-cancer treatments. They also include a number of abused products such as pain killers or anti-depressants.
NABP has provided a number of disturbing facts surrounding counterfeit drugs:
- An estimated 1-2% of drugs in North America are fraudulent.
- Many counterfeit drugs are bought from legitimate-looking Web sites. Although possible, it is rare for drugs purchased at reputable pharmacies to be counterfeit.
- Counterfeit sales are increasing at nearly twice the pace of legitimate pharmaceutical sales – estimated at 13% annually by the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest.
- Counterfeit drugs are commonly manufactured in countries like China and India.
- The composition of fraudulent drugs ranges from crude mixtures of glue, chalk, and sugar to nearly exact chemical replicas of complex pharmaceuticals.
Additional information and resources are available on the Dangers of Counterfeit Drugs page.
To Avoid Counterfeits, Know Your Medicine
When you receive a refilled prescription:
- Note if there are any differences in color, shape, size, and taste from the medication you normally receive. (Always check with your pharmacist first. Any changes may be because your pharmacy changed manufacturers; so, the medication may still be safe.)
- Look for changes in the packaging or any evidence of tampering, such as if the packaging is unsealed or if tablets are chipped or cracked.
For any prescription or over-the-counter medication:
- Be aware of any unexpected side effects and report them to your pharmacist or physician.
Contact your physician or pharmacist if any of these counterfeit indicators are present.
If ordering a medication online, make sure to use a VIPPS Pharmacy. Also, see Online Pharmacies for more information and resources for finding safe prescription medications while saving money.
For more information
- “Counterfeit Drugs” from NABP.
- “Counterfeit Medicine” from Food and Drug Administration. This page includes links to warnings about specific counterfeit drug incidents.
